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**AblemTee** · 10-02-2011, 04:37 PM

Without 9/11 (or any other theoretical massive terrorist attack to take its place), do you think it would have been possible to go to war with Iraq?

Yes. While not a ground invasion, President Clinton attacked Iraq through the air and no one batted an eye. We went to war with Iraq -- ground forces and all -- in 1991 to liberate a small Gulf state with absolutely no security threat to America. We only stayed our hand that time due to the various political interests involved in keeping a coalition together -- not due to American timidity at removing the Iraqi government. Again, no one needed fear for personal safety to justify these actions; nor was such fear required to be a tipping point.

So, Americans were clearly willing to get behind attacking/invading Iraq for principles of resisting expansionism and enforcing cease fire/disarmament obligations. Resuming full-fledged hostilities with Iraq in 2003 was more of the same IMO. If there was any change in American attitudes, I might allow that there was a desire to move away from a perceived "kid gloves" approach to dealing with the region pre-9/11 -- but not fear. But, as I say, it's a matter of perception. I wasn't afraid, and I don't even know anyone who was (at least no one who admitted it to me).

Well, more merit than the "controlled demolition" conspiracy theory. The "let it happen" conspiracy theory is much harder to prove or disprove. I don't personally believe it, myself. But, like I said, it's totally possible just not very probable. Just like it's totally possible that Obama, working as an inside Muslim terrorist, helped orchestrate it. Not very probable, of course.

Well, anything's possible. The birther and truther conspiracy theories are possible. I think for us to say a theory has "merit" there's got to be some solid evidence pointing in that direction (even if not the most probable cause). Both the ideas that Mr. Obama is some sort of Manchurian candidate and Bush let 9/11 happen are abzurd.

10-02-2011, 04:37 PM	#24
AblemTee Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 448 Senior Member	Without 9/11 (or any other theoretical massive terrorist attack to take its place), do you think it would have been possible to go to war with Iraq? Yes. While not a ground invasion, President Clinton attacked Iraq through the air and no one batted an eye. We went to war with Iraq -- ground forces and all -- in 1991 to liberate a small Gulf state with absolutely no security threat to America. We only stayed our hand that time due to the various political interests involved in keeping a coalition together -- not due to American timidity at removing the Iraqi government. Again, no one needed fear for personal safety to justify these actions; nor was such fear required to be a tipping point. So, Americans were clearly willing to get behind attacking/invading Iraq for principles of resisting expansionism and enforcing cease fire/disarmament obligations. Resuming full-fledged hostilities with Iraq in 2003 was more of the same IMO. If there was any change in American attitudes, I might allow that there was a desire to move away from a perceived "kid gloves" approach to dealing with the region pre-9/11 -- but not fear. But, as I say, it's a matter of perception. I wasn't afraid, and I don't even know anyone who was (at least no one who admitted it to me). Well, more merit than the "controlled demolition" conspiracy theory. The "let it happen" conspiracy theory is much harder to prove or disprove. I don't personally believe it, myself. But, like I said, it's totally possible just not very probable. Just like it's totally possible that Obama, working as an inside Muslim terrorist, helped orchestrate it. Not very probable, of course. Well, anything's possible. The birther and truther conspiracy theories are possible. I think for us to say a theory has "merit" there's got to be some solid evidence pointing in that direction (even if not the most probable cause). Both the ideas that Mr. Obama is some sort of Manchurian candidate and Bush let 9/11 happen are abzurd.
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